A Guide to LPG Adapters/Adaptors in Europe

There are four different LPG adapters in Europe:

• ACME adapter/adaptor
• Bayonet adapter/adaptor
• Dish adapter/adaptor
• Euronozzle adapter/adaptor

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ACME adapter/adaptor

Also known as: ACME thread, ACME connector, ACME nozzle

The ACME adaptor uses a threaded fitting — you screw the nozzle onto the filler neck before pulling the trigger to create a gas-tight seal. The threading action is what distinguishes it from the push-fit types: it takes a few seconds longer to connect but gives a very secure, leak-resistant joint. At most ACME-compatible filling stations the pump nozzle is fixed to the hose, so you’re attaching your adaptor to the vehicle’s filler neck and then connecting the station’s hose to the adaptor.

If you’re filling up in Germany or Austria, ACME is standard — the process is quick once you’re familiar with the thread direction. The adaptor screws on clockwise in most cases, though always check before applying force.

💡 Tip: The ACME adaptor is one of the easiest to find in the UK before you travel — widely stocked by motorhome specialists and available on Amazon and eBay. Buy it before you leave.

Found in: Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Ebay link, Amazon link.

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Bayonet adapter/adaptor

Also known as: Dutch Bayonet, Bayonet connector, Bayonet nozzle

The Bayonet adaptor works on a push-and-twist action, much like a bayonet light bulb fitting. You push the adaptor into the filler neck and rotate it a quarter-turn to lock it into place and create a gas-tight seal. It’s one of the faster adaptors to connect and disconnect, which makes it convenient at busy filling stations. The locking mechanism gives a positive click when correctly seated — if you don’t feel it engage, don’t pull the trigger.

It’s worth noting that Spain uses both the Bayonet adaptor and the Euronozzle depending on the station, so if Spain is on your route you’ll want both.

💡 Tip: The Bayonet adaptor is also used at UK LPG stations alongside ACME, so if you already fill up on LPG at home you may already own one.

Found in: Denmark, Norway, Spain, United Kingdom, the Netherlands

Ebay link, Amazon link.

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Dish adapter/adaptor

Also known as: Italian adaptor, DISH coupling, Italian dish, Dish connector, Dish nozzle

The Dish adaptor — sometimes called the Italian adaptor — uses a concave dish-shaped fitting that seals against the filler nozzle when the trigger is depressed. There’s no threading or twisting involved: the adaptor clips or holds against the filler point and the seal is created by the pressure of the nozzle itself. It’s the most widespread adaptor type in Europe by far, covering the majority of continental countries including France, Italy, Poland and most of Eastern Europe.

Because it covers so much of the continent, the Dish adaptor is the single most important one to carry if you’re touring broadly. If you only buy one adaptor for a European trip, this is it.

💡 Tip: The Dish adaptor is sometimes called the Italian adaptor even in countries far from Italy — the name has stuck despite it being near-universal across central and Eastern Europe.

Found in: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine

Ebay link, Amazon link.

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Euro adapter/adaptor

Also known as: Euronozzle, Euro connector

The Euronozzle adaptor uses a standardised nozzle design intended to eventually replace the patchwork of regional fittings across Europe — though that harmonisation has been slow in practice. The nozzle is inserted and pressed against the filler point; a lever or trigger on the station pump creates the seal and initiates flow. It’s designed to be intuitive and quick to use without any threading or twisting.

In practice, the Euronozzle is currently found mainly in Spain, where it coexists with the Bayonet adaptor depending on the filling station. You’re unlikely to need it elsewhere in Europe at present, but if Spain is part of your route it’s worth carrying.

💡 Tip: Some modern LPG vehicles sold in Europe have a Euronozzle-compatible filler as standard — check your vehicle’s handbook before buying adaptors, as you may already be compatible with one type.

Found in: Spain

Ebay link, Amazon link.

Here’s a table of adapters by country:

Countries	Adapters
Austria	ACME adapter
	Dish adapter
Belgium	ACME adapter
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Dish adapter
Bulgaria	Dish adapter
Croatia	Dish adapter
Czech Republic	Dish adapter
Denmark	Bayonet adapter
	Dish adapter
Estonia	Dish adapter
France	Dish adapter
Germany	ACME adapter
Greece	Dish adapter
Hungary	Dish adapter
Ireland	ACME adapter
Italy	Dish adapter
Kosovo	Dish adapter
Latvia	Dish adapter
Liechtenstein	ACME adapter
Lithuania	Dish adapter
Luxembourg	ACME adapter
Macedonia	Dish adapter
Malta	Dish adapter
Montenegro	Dish adapter
Norway	Bayonet adapter
	Dish adapter
Poland	Dish adapter
Portugal	Dish adapter
Romania	Dish adapter
San Marino	Dish adapter
Serbia	Dish adapter
Slovakia	Dish adapter
Slovenia	Dish adapter
Spain	Bayonet adapter
	Euronozzle adapter
Sweden	Dish adapter
Switzerland	ACME adapter
	Dish adapter
Ukraine	Dish adapter
United Kingdom	ACME adapter
	Bayonet adapter
the Netherlands	Bayonet adapter

Which LPG Adaptors Do You Need for a European Trip?

The country table above tells you which adaptor is used where — but if you’re planning a multi-country tour, the practical question is: which combination should you actually carry?

The answer depends on your route, but for most UK campervanners heading to the continent, two or three adaptors will cover the vast majority of situations.

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Essential combinations by route

UK and Ireland only You need the ACME adaptor. Bayonet is also used at some UK stations, but ACME is the standard. If you fill up on LPG at home already, you likely have one.

UK → France (and back) Carry ACME (for the UK crossing and any refills before you leave) and Dish (France uses Dish throughout). This is the most common two-adaptor pairing for UK campervanners.

UK → France → Spain Add a Bayonet adaptor to the above. Spain uses Bayonet at many stations, with Euronozzle at others — a Bayonet adaptor covers the majority. If you’re spending significant time in Spain, consider carrying a Euronozzle adaptor as well.

UK → Germany → Austria → Eastern Europe ACME covers Germany, Austria and several neighbouring countries. Add a Dish adaptor for Austria (which uses both), Switzerland, and all of Eastern Europe. This combination covers most of a Central/Eastern European tour.

Full European tour The practical minimum for a broad European tour is three adaptors: ACME, Dish, and Bayonet. Between them they cover every country in the table above except for Spain’s Euronozzle stations, which you can add as a fourth if needed. The Dish adaptor alone covers more countries than the other three combined.

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A note on buying before you travel

All four adaptor types are available from UK suppliers before you leave — don’t assume you’ll find them easily once you’re abroad. Motorhome and caravan accessory shops stock them, as do the eBay and Amazon links in each section above. A full set of four costs between £30 and £60 depending on brand, and fits easily in a glove box or small toolkit bag.

💡 Tip: Store your adaptors somewhere accessible — not buried in a locker you’d have to unpack to reach. Filling station forecourts aren’t the place to be rummaging for equipment, particularly if there’s a queue behind you.